Comic Book Reviews for 7/13/11

As we arrive at the week before San Diego Comic-Con, it seems like Marvel and DC have unloaded a massive amount of huge comics before the big show. X-Men: Schism #1 begins the great divide of the X-Men, Ultimate Comics Fallout #1 sees the Ultimate Universe reacting to Peter Parker's death, and Detective Comics #879 continues the ongoing saga of Jim Gordon's deranged son. That said, there are a lot of great low-profile titles as well.

We were short a reviewer this week, so be sure to check out page 4 for the MyIGN reviewers that picked up the slack! Also please note that there will be no reviews next week, due to SDCC.

As always, we grade on a 20-point scale from 1-10, with a longer analysis for the most anticipated books of the week.

"I am so thankful that Vertigo and Scott Snyder decided to make Survival of the Fittest its own mini-series instead of just an arc in the main American Vampire proper. Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy are setting up an epic, engrossing plot here that deserves the space to be fully fleshed out. It's very easy to enjoy Survival of the Fittest #2, since the issue contains everything we love about Snyder's American Vampire series infused with James Bond and Indiana Jones influences for good measure. If that's not a dynamite combination, I don't know what is." -Erik

8.5

"As we inch closer to September, I thought I had prepared myself rather diligently for the coming changes. But then I came to the last page of this issue, with a giant 'Next Month: Batgirl Concludes' slapped on it. It's bittersweet, because while this issue wraps up the ongoing story of "The Lesson," it also ends on a pretty badass cliffhanger that will have to be handled in one issue. All of that aside, Batgirl #23 is another solid entry into Bryan Q. Miller's saga, laced with the same great personality that we've come to expect. However, while the interactions between Gage and Batgirl are sweet and the cameos by the teen girl Justice League (complete with a Return of the Jedi reference) are fun, this issue does suffer from villains that aren't very interesting." -Joey

8.0

"Well, this is just disappointing. Batman: The Dark Knight had the opportunity to fill a niche in the Batman franchise as the only book besides Batman, Inc. to feature Bruce Wayne in the lead role, as well as being the series devoted to the more supernatural aspects of Batman's war on crime. Sadly, the series has failed to make good on that potential. Issue #3 may be the most disappointing yet, as it quickly devolves into a crowded, nonsensical mess." -Jesse

4.0

Detective Comics #879

Written by Scott Snyder | Art by Francesco Francavilla

"Much like they did with issue #875, Scott Snyder and Francesco Francavilla deliver another excellent issue of Detective Comics that isn't hurt by a lack Batman. In fact, I may be so bold as to say that the Jim Gordon-centric issues rank as some of Scott Snyder's best work when mucking around in the mythos of Gotham City." -Erik

9.0

"Issue #2 sees Citizen Cold fend off an attack by the Rogues following their escape from Iron Heights. Much of the appeal in this story lies in the juxtaposition of character traits. Cold is now an almost Booster Gold-like who delights in playing the ladies man. The Rogues, never the most blatantly evil of villains to begin with, are even more identifiable as they seek revenge against the so-called hero who ruined them. Mirror Master in particular stands out with this series. The plot may be largely forgettable, but the characters elevate the book." -Jesse

7.0

"With the less essential Flashpoint tie-ins, the most successful books are those that focus on showcasing familiar characters in unfamiliar situations. Jimmy Palmiotti's Deathstroke series makes largely good use of the villain in his new, more sympathetic role as a pirate with a personal mission. As with the Emperor Aquaman book, it's enough to make you hope this series might have some influence on Deathstroke's portrayal in the relaunch." -Jesse

6.5

"Issue #2 divides itself between chronicling an Atlantean attack on the Amazons and providing snippets of Arthur Curry's origin story. Tony Bedard effectively chronicles the changes that birthed a more vengeful, bloodthirsty monarch. However, at some point the origin sequences get in the way of the other half of the story. The script offers some tantalizing battles between Aquaman and Wonder Woman's forces, with the promise of more to come in the finale. It's just a shame we couldn't have seen more of Siren or the new Furies in action before the end." -Jesse

7.5

"The relative unimportance of this title thus far to the overall Flashpoint event shouldn't be a deterrent for those that may be hesitant about this story. While this issue isn't as successful as the debut, it's still an enjoyable foray into the strange that fails as a companion to the decidedly lackluster Flashpoint event but succeeds in getting me excited for the supernatural side of the DC Universe come September." -Joey

7.5

"Wowzers. If War of the Green Lanterns accomplished anything, it's that it ends with a major shift in status quo for the Green Lantern universe. Maybe you've seen the cover image for September's Green Lantern #1 featuring a familiar face donning the will-powered suit, but if you haven't I'll avoid spoiling it here. Let's just say that Green Lantern #67 explains how we get to that point, and it's definitely a WTF moment that will have you counting down the days until September's relaunch." -Erik

8.5

"For Green Lantern Corps' epilogue issue to War of the Green Lanterns, Tony Bedard has decided to spotlight all those Lanterns who were inducted into the Corps while Mogo was under the influence of Krona during the war. I give credit to Bedard for thinking outside the box and taking an interesting approach to this aftermath issue, but the concept probably sounded better on paper (but before it became a comic book... you get what I'm saying). In actuality, Green Lantern Corps #61 is just a boring read that reeks of filler." -Erik

5.0

"I can appreciate the message this storyline has been trying to convey. The problem all along has been that said message has been lacking in subtlety and craft. The execution is worse than ever in issue #713. Chris Roberson uses the many random characters as mouthpieces. The dialogue and conversations are lacking in anything resembling realism. But more aggravating than the one-off characters is Superman himself. His portrayal becomes downright infuriating at times. It beggars belief that a hero as seasoned as Superman could be so ignorant, so self-loathing, and so insecure as this. Even Spider-Man would be embarrassed by his behavior." -Jesse